The KBS drama production team is embroiled in controversy after secretly filming at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Byungsanseowon, where they reportedly caused damage by hammering nails during their shoot. This incident has raised alarm bells about the responsibilities of filmmakers when engaging with culturally significant sites.
According to local officials from Andong, South Korea, the shooting team was caught on December 30, 2022, improperly securing decorative items to the wooden pillars of Byungsanseowon, which is famous for its beauty and historic significance. Specifically, they drilled nails at six locations on the pavilion valued highly for its architectural style, along with one spot at the dormitory.
The cultural heritage authorities received complaints from concerned citizens, prompting immediate intervention by local officials who arrived on the scene. The damages included nail holes measuring two to three millimeters thick and approximately one to one and a half centimeters deep. The Andong City Cultural Heritage team later classified this act as wrong, stating it was unlawful to use hammers and nails without explicit permission on the protected structure.
Following the investigation, KBS issued several apologies detailing their involvement. They acknowledged, through their drama center head and producer, the gravity of their actions, referring to the incident as tragic. The KBS team explained, "We used pre-existing holes for some nails and drilled only slightly for others," trying to mitigate the situation.
Despite their attempts at clarification, officials firmly indicated the responsibility of the filming team. Andong's Cultural Heritage department highlighted, "Regardless of claims about pre-existing holes, the act of hammering nails without authorization is fundamentally problematic." The city also emphasized the serious nature of the filming activities undertaken without consulting local authorities.
The aftermath of the situation has led to legal action as citizens formally reported the filming team for violations of cultural preservation laws. Andong police confirmed they received complaints citing the filming crew's actions as grounds for investigation following violations related to the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage sites.
This isn't the first time KBS has come under scrutiny for similar practices. Past incidents, including the filming of 'Daewang Omyeon' (King Daewang’s War) near protected landmarks, have surfaced, leading critics to question whether sufficient measures are being taken to prevent such occurrences. Experts argue this reflects broader issues concerning the awareness and training filmmakers receive about managing and respecting cultural heritage properties, especially when operating under different cultural regulations.
Further complicates the matter, Byungsanseowon holds the distinction of being one of the nine notable seowon of Korea, recognized for its contributions to education and Confucian culture. This historic site is particularly revered for its architectural integrity and the role it plays within the educational heritage of Korea, which makes these filming actions even more controversial.
The KBS production team has promised full cooperation with the investigation, emphasizing they aim to remediate the damage caused and undergo training on the significance of respecting cultural heritages. They stated their commitment to preventing future occurrences through training their outsourcing production houses on the care and importance of cultural sites like Byungsanseowon.
This incident poses questions not only about KBS’s responsibility but signals potential change needed within the film industry to safeguard national heritage sites estimated to have immense cultural significance. Local historians argue such measures should be implemented universally across all film productions interacting with heritage sites.
Byungsanseowon relates closely to Korea's historic representation, and as it stands, future filmmakers must be held to strict regulations to preserve the authenticity and historical value held within these sites. The controversy surrounding this incident reminds the cultural sector of the significance of every act, whether intended as harmless, when engaging with Korea's historical legacies.
What arises now is how KBS will manage the aftermath of this incident, which could impact their production approach moving forward, as audiences and heritage advocates alike watch closely for accountability and change from established norms seeking to mitigate risks to national treasures. Stakeholders are calling for longer-lasting commitments from media companies to educate teams before filming on-site.